Title: Burning in the Sun Director: Cambria Matlow and Morgan Robinson Release year: 2010
What is the central argument or narrative of the film?
The narrative of this film is about 26 year old Daniel Dembele who decides to return to his homeland of Mali to start a small business building affordable solar panels to provide electricity for the local people living in rural communities. He demonstrates how a modern technology being used to reduce energy consumption in first world countries can give impoverished people in the third world a chance to have electricity for the first time. Daniel works with Dr. Richard Komp, who has extensive background in solar technology, and his assistant who are electric engineers to make these panels out of broken photovoltaic cells from around the world and all other materials from Mali. By teaching the people of Mali how to build solar panels they see how it can be a viable solution and they can then continue to build them after Daniel and his team are gone. He hopes to help many rural people for small prices and make his money by selling the panels to people in the city.
How is the argument or narrative made and sustained? How much scientific information is provided, for example? Does the film have emotional appeal?
The narrative is sustained through following Daniel and his team as they travel to villages in Mali, such as Banko, where they install solar panels on a school and hook up lights. This is the first access to electricity that the community has ever had and the school director is excited because it will allow students to study after dark. They also install a water pump in the village well that uses electricity from the solar panels to bring water up through a hose and stores it in a tank, so the people no longer had to haul water up from the well in small buckets. Some scientific information is presented about how to assemble the solar panels, but overall the film offers more emotional appeal. It is touching to see how appreciative people are just to have a light in their school, when we take such things for granted. The lights in the school in Banko made such a difference that the percentage of students passing their exams increased from 20% to 97% in the year following installation.
What sustainability problems does the film draw out? Political? Legal? Economic? Technological? Media and Informational? Organizational? Educational? Behavioral? Cultural? Ecological?
This film draws out economic, technological, and cultural sustainability problems. Economic problems can be found when considering the current monetary and environmental costs that are associated with using fossil fuels for energy. Solar energy, although sustainable, is still expensive and makes it limited to only those who can afford it. However, Daniel’s self assembled solar panels are reasonably priced and are allowing many more people to access solar energy. Technology plays a significant role in the development of solar panels. Our advances in technology have created alternatives such as solar, but countries like Mali do not have access to the technology and are often not educated about it. The culture of Mali includes impoverished people in rural communities that do not have access to basic things like clean water and electricity. Daniel is helping people like this improve their quality of life by teaching them about solar technology.
What parts of the film did you find most persuasive and compelling? Why?
The part of the film that I found most compelling was when Daniel and his team installed solar panels at a school in the village of Banko. The reactions from the students and residents proved that Daniel’s methods of providing solar power were really effective and changing people’s lives for the better. He didn’t make false claims that the technology was inexpensive because the school and a couple villagers were actually able to afford panels. It was amazing to see people gain access to electricity and a hose that pumps water for the first time in their lives and that it was possible in such a remote location.
What parts of the film were you not compelled or convinced by? Why?
I was not compelled by the part of the film that discussed buying the broken photovoltaic cells from large companies like Shell. This seemed like a viable method at first because they could be purchased fairly cheaply, but later in the film Dr. Komp mentioned that the used cells were gaining popularity around the world. This means that there will be more competition when buying the cells and if the companies realize this, it may make it more difficult and/or expensive to get the cells, which would make the self-assembled solar panel less desirable.
What audiences does the film best address? Why?
The film addresses most audiences, but specifically would be beneficial to people with a background in solar energy that may be able to help Daniel’s cause in a similar manner. As a college student, I felt that the film addressed me well because I am concerned with sustainability and where our energy will come from in the future. However, I think someone with less education would still benefit from the film because the film did not draw on a base of knowledge.
What could have been added to this film to enhance its environmental educational value?
I think it would have been beneficial if the film provided more information about Mali, including what their government is like, statistics about poverty and electricity, and what life is like in the city there compared to the rural areas. I think the film should have also talked more about solar power with regards to why it is not growing faster in the first world. If you can build a panel in Mali with limited resources it makes me think that we could easily all have solar panels in the U.S. to help power our homes. Adding both of these aspects to the film would help enhance its environmental educational value.
What kinds of action and points of intervention are suggested by the film? If the film itself does not suggest corrective action, describe actions that you can imagine being effective.
In this film, the problem of poverty in Mali is brought to the viewer’s attention. This poverty means lack of access to water and electricity. Daniel and his team provide a solution by making solar panels and teaching the people of Mali how to make them as well. This is a great solution because solar panels are one of the only technologies that are a plausible energy source for use in such rural communities. The panels take advantage of the intense sun in Mali and it is sustainable so the people don’t have to worry about being able to afford the electric bill each month. Taking on volunteer missions in third world countries like this is definitely a point of intervention that is effective. It is much more effective than donating money because it is often hard to know where your money is going. Directly providing shelter, water supply, and electricity allows hands on experience and interaction with local people.
What additional information has the film compelled you to seek out? (Provide at least two supporting references.)
This film compelled me to seek out more about Dr. Richard Komp and how he came to be someone helping make solar panels in Mali. I found out that he received his PhD in Physical Chemistry from Wayne State University in Michigan and was later an Associate Professor at Kentucky University. He also spends 2-3 months in Nicaragua each year as an adjunct professor at the national engineering university (UNI). Dr. Komp’s commitment to sharing his knowledge and skills with younger generations led him to Mali, helping Daniel with his mission. Dr. Komp is the co-founder and director of a non-profit organization called Skyheat Associates, he has a book titled Practical Photovoltaic, and he is the editor for the Maine Solar Energy Association’s quarterly newsletter. It is particularly interesting that he has a home in downeast Jonesport, Maine that is completely off-the-grid solar powered. http://www.skyheat.org/board.html
Another piece of information that this film compelled me to seek out was where you can buy batches of broken photovoltaic cells from and how much they cost. I didn’t find any specific large company like Shell advertising that they were selling them, but I did find cheap broken solar cells on eBay. I’m sure that if you were going to buy large quantities you may be able to get them from companies like Shell if you call and inquire about it. http://www.ebay.com/sch/sis.html?_nkw=Batch+of+broken+solar+cells+Build+a+photovoltaic+panel
Annotation #9
Word Count: 1,443
Title: Burning in the Sun
Director: Cambria Matlow and Morgan Robinson
Release year: 2010
What is the central argument or narrative of the film?
The narrative of this film is about 26 year old Daniel Dembele who decides to return to his homeland of Mali to start a small business building affordable solar panels to provide electricity for the local people living in rural communities. He demonstrates how a modern technology being used to reduce energy consumption in first world countries can give impoverished people in the third world a chance to have electricity for the first time. Daniel works with Dr. Richard Komp, who has extensive background in solar technology, and his assistant who are electric engineers to make these panels out of broken photovoltaic cells from around the world and all other materials from Mali. By teaching the people of Mali how to build solar panels they see how it can be a viable solution and they can then continue to build them after Daniel and his team are gone. He hopes to help many rural people for small prices and make his money by selling the panels to people in the city.
How is the argument or narrative made and sustained? How much scientific information is provided, for example? Does the film have emotional appeal?
The narrative is sustained through following Daniel and his team as they travel to villages in Mali, such as Banko, where they install solar panels on a school and hook up lights. This is the first access to electricity that the community has ever had and the school director is excited because it will allow students to study after dark. They also install a water pump in the village well that uses electricity from the solar panels to bring water up through a hose and stores it in a tank, so the people no longer had to haul water up from the well in small buckets. Some scientific information is presented about how to assemble the solar panels, but overall the film offers more emotional appeal. It is touching to see how appreciative people are just to have a light in their school, when we take such things for granted. The lights in the school in Banko made such a difference that the percentage of students passing their exams increased from 20% to 97% in the year following installation.
What sustainability problems does the film draw out? Political? Legal? Economic? Technological? Media and Informational? Organizational? Educational? Behavioral? Cultural? Ecological?
This film draws out economic, technological, and cultural sustainability problems. Economic problems can be found when considering the current monetary and environmental costs that are associated with using fossil fuels for energy. Solar energy, although sustainable, is still expensive and makes it limited to only those who can afford it. However, Daniel’s self assembled solar panels are reasonably priced and are allowing many more people to access solar energy. Technology plays a significant role in the development of solar panels. Our advances in technology have created alternatives such as solar, but countries like Mali do not have access to the technology and are often not educated about it. The culture of Mali includes impoverished people in rural communities that do not have access to basic things like clean water and electricity. Daniel is helping people like this improve their quality of life by teaching them about solar technology.
What parts of the film did you find most persuasive and compelling? Why?
The part of the film that I found most compelling was when Daniel and his team installed solar panels at a school in the village of Banko. The reactions from the students and residents proved that Daniel’s methods of providing solar power were really effective and changing people’s lives for the better. He didn’t make false claims that the technology was inexpensive because the school and a couple villagers were actually able to afford panels. It was amazing to see people gain access to electricity and a hose that pumps water for the first time in their lives and that it was possible in such a remote location.
What parts of the film were you not compelled or convinced by? Why?
I was not compelled by the part of the film that discussed buying the broken photovoltaic cells from large companies like Shell. This seemed like a viable method at first because they could be purchased fairly cheaply, but later in the film Dr. Komp mentioned that the used cells were gaining popularity around the world. This means that there will be more competition when buying the cells and if the companies realize this, it may make it more difficult and/or expensive to get the cells, which would make the self-assembled solar panel less desirable.
What audiences does the film best address? Why?
The film addresses most audiences, but specifically would be beneficial to people with a background in solar energy that may be able to help Daniel’s cause in a similar manner. As a college student, I felt that the film addressed me well because I am concerned with sustainability and where our energy will come from in the future. However, I think someone with less education would still benefit from the film because the film did not draw on a base of knowledge.
What could have been added to this film to enhance its environmental educational value?
I think it would have been beneficial if the film provided more information about Mali, including what their government is like, statistics about poverty and electricity, and what life is like in the city there compared to the rural areas. I think the film should have also talked more about solar power with regards to why it is not growing faster in the first world. If you can build a panel in Mali with limited resources it makes me think that we could easily all have solar panels in the U.S. to help power our homes. Adding both of these aspects to the film would help enhance its environmental educational value.
What kinds of action and points of intervention are suggested by the film? If the film itself does not suggest corrective action, describe actions that you can imagine being effective.
In this film, the problem of poverty in Mali is brought to the viewer’s attention. This poverty means lack of access to water and electricity. Daniel and his team provide a solution by making solar panels and teaching the people of Mali how to make them as well. This is a great solution because solar panels are one of the only technologies that are a plausible energy source for use in such rural communities. The panels take advantage of the intense sun in Mali and it is sustainable so the people don’t have to worry about being able to afford the electric bill each month. Taking on volunteer missions in third world countries like this is definitely a point of intervention that is effective. It is much more effective than donating money because it is often hard to know where your money is going. Directly providing shelter, water supply, and electricity allows hands on experience and interaction with local people.
What additional information has the film compelled you to seek out? (Provide at least two supporting references.)
This film compelled me to seek out more about Dr. Richard Komp and how he came to be someone helping make solar panels in Mali. I found out that he received his PhD in Physical Chemistry from Wayne State University in Michigan and was later an Associate Professor at Kentucky University. He also spends 2-3 months in Nicaragua each year as an adjunct professor at the national engineering university (UNI). Dr. Komp’s commitment to sharing his knowledge and skills with younger generations led him to Mali, helping Daniel with his mission. Dr. Komp is the co-founder and director of a non-profit organization called Skyheat Associates, he has a book titled Practical Photovoltaic, and he is the editor for the Maine Solar Energy Association’s quarterly newsletter. It is particularly interesting that he has a home in downeast Jonesport, Maine that is completely off-the-grid solar powered. http://www.skyheat.org/board.html
Another piece of information that this film compelled me to seek out was where you can buy batches of broken photovoltaic cells from and how much they cost. I didn’t find any specific large company like Shell advertising that they were selling them, but I did find cheap broken solar cells on eBay. I’m sure that if you were going to buy large quantities you may be able to get them from companies like Shell if you call and inquire about it.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/sis.html?_nkw=Batch+of+broken+solar+cells+Build+a+photovoltaic+panel